I was watching a show yesterday with Dave Salmoni interacting with crocodiles in Africa. He mentioned that despite the widely perceived threat to humans in Africa from crocs (unless you're a pregnant woman defending your man, that is), they are not responsible for the largest number of human deaths by animal attack in Africa per … Continue reading Deadliest Animals to Humans

Sea World reportedly quashed a 2007 report from OSHA which warned of additional killer whale attacks at the park. What's that? You didn't realize a company could say "Thanks but no thanks" to a government issued workplace safety report? Me neither. But apparently "SeaWorld successfully argued that Cal/OSHA was not qualified to draw conclusions about … Continue reading Sea World Covers Up Dangers of Whale-Trainer Interaction

After the death of a killer whale trainer this week (most excellent commentary here), Sea World has been thrust into brand crisis management mode:After decades of cultivating a corporate image around one of the ocean's greatest predators, SeaWorld managers must reassure visitors that a killer whale's fatal mauling of its trainer doesn't mean the parks … Continue reading What Will Sea World Do Next?

I guess nobody thought to advise "Sammy" he's a pet monkey:Police said their investigation showed Green was holding her granddaughter near the cage that held Sammy, a monkey kept in the home as a pet. The baby started crying. Green then noticed the monkey had reached outside of its cage and grabbed the hood of … Continue reading Monkey in a Cage Acts Like Caged Monkey

If only there could have been some earthly way to predict this tragedy:Authorities in northeastern Pennsylvania say a woman was killed by her pet black bear as she cleaned its cage.[...]Officials say Walz [the owner] threw a shovelful of dog food to one side of the cage to distract the bear while she cleaned the … Continue reading We’ll Make Great Pets